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The level of faecal contamination in urban public spaces depends on the behaviour of dogs's owners as well as on dog abundance. The aims of the present study were to explore patterns of the relative abundance of dogs, the canine faecal contamination, the behaviour of owners and dog walkers towards their pets, and their relationship with human demographic/economic variables in Buenos Aires city. We carried out a cross sectional study that included 67 randomly selected sampling sites (street corners). Each sampling site was evaluated one only time by two trained students under our supervision and all sighted dogs between 7 and 11 a.m. in both sidewalks of each corner were counted (spring 2013, 23 days of sampling). Data about dogs and people were obtained by using a standardized questionnaire and by direct observation. Feces censuses in 242 sidewalks were carried out. The sidewalks were randomly selected and its characteristics were registered (i.e. number of shops, trees). GIS was loaded with the city´s cartography and the values for nine variables used as demographic/economic indicators were obtained disaggregated by demographic units (National Census). Generalized linear models were used to identify the environmental and demographic variables related to the number of dogs sighted per site and feces per sidewalk. Explanatory variables per site included human density, number of inhabitants, households, precarious housing, proportion of children, maximum educational level and drinking water provision. For the sidewalks number of shops, trees, tree pits, broken sectors and total length were added. Also, variables regarding dog's owners and dog walkers behaviour were compared. A total of 1193 dog's owners, 234 dog walkers and 2835 dogs were sighted. The number of observed pets and that of people sighted with dogs showed a positive relationship with the economic level and the human density. The stool number per sidewalk increased with the higher number of broken sectors, higher number of tree pits per meter of sidewalk and the lower number of shops on it. The stool number per sidewalk was lower when 40% or more people with dogs carried waste bag to clean dogs' feces. Our results indicate that dog walkers compared to owners showed different behavioural patterns towards the pets (bag to remove dog's fouling, leash use, use of the green spaces, etc).

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In Argentina, five galling species of the family Cecidosidae (Lepidoptera), including Cecidoses eremita Curtis and Eucecidoses minutanus Brèthes, have been cited. This note reports a preliminary study of their galls in "molles" (Schinus longifolius (Lindl.) Speg.) of Magdalena (Buenos Aires, Argentina). In April 2013, galls of C. eremita and E. minutanus were censused in randomly selected "molles". In April and December 2013, randomly selected galls were then collected and transported to our laboratory in hermetic bags, and conserved at -18 ºC until examination. Maximum diameter and wall thickness of collected galls were measured. About 84% of the observed "molles" (103/123) had galls of C. eremita and/or E. minutanus. The median of galls per tree was 12 (Q1=6; Q3=22). Eucecidoses minutanus had galls with smaller diameter (U11;53= 583; P<0.05) and thinner wall (U10;52=506.5; P<0..05) than C. eremita. In open galls, we found Pseudoescorpionida, Araneae (Segestriidae and Salticidae), and larvae of Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Within closed galls, we found adults of Torymidae and Chalcidoidea, and larvae of Ichneumonoidea.

En Argentina se registran cinco especies cecidógenas de la familia Cecidosidae (Lepidoptera), entre ellas Cecidoses eremita Curtis y Eucecidoses minutanus Brèthes. Se reporta un estudio preliminar de agallas de estas dos especies en "molles" (Schinus longifolius (Lindl.) Speg.) de Magdalena (Buenos Aires). En abril de 2013 se censaron las agallas de C. eremita y E. minutanus en molles seleccionados al azar. En abril y diciembre de 2013, se colectaron mediante muestreo aleatorio agallas de ambas especies, se trasladaron en bolsas herméticas y se conservaron a -18 ºC hasta ser examinadas. Se midieron el diámetro máximo y el grosor de la pared. Un 84% de los molles observados (103/123) presentaron agallas de C. eremita y/o E. minutanus. La mediana de agallas cerradas por árbol fue 12 (Q1=6 y Q3=22). Las agallas de E. minutanus presentaron un diámetro menor (U11;53= 583; P<0,05) y una pared más delgada (U10;52=506,5; P<0,05) que las de C. eremita. Los organismos asociados a las agallas abiertas fueron Pseudoescorpionida, Araneae (Segestriidae y Salticidae), y larvas de Lepidoptera y de Hymenoptera. Dentro de las agallas cerradas se encontraron adultos de Torymidae y de Chalcidoidea, y larvas de Ichneumonoidea.

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The aim of this study was to provide data on canine fecal and helminthic contamination from parks and sidewalks in Buenos Aires City, collected by the Laboratory of General Parasitology, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires. A census of dog feces was performed in 1-11 parks per year between 1991 and 2006, a single day each year. In the period 2000-2006, the census included feces on sidewalks surrounding the park. Thirty fresh fecal samples were randomly collected from each park to determine the presence of helminth eggs and fixed with 5% formalin until diagnosis by the Willis' flotation method with a saturated solution of NaCl. The 51 censuses showed a median of 288 feces/park and 82% of the feces were collected from grass or bare-ground areas. Fecal contamination in parks was higher between 2000/06 than in the previous period (p < 0.0000), and it increased with increasing human density on sidewalks surrounding the park (p =0.0076). The sidewalks showed a inverse pattern, with larger fecal contamination in the lesser densely populated areas (p =0.0000). All parks showed infected samples. The most frequent helminth genera were Ancylostoma (20.47%), Trichuris (2.59%) and Toxocara (1.70%). Our results indicated that an increase in dog number in addition to deficient public control policies accounted for the increase in dog fouling in public spaces of the city.

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El objetivo del trabajo fue presentar y analizar los datos de contaminación fecal canina y parasitaria en plazas y veredas de Buenos Aires obtenidos entre 1991 y 2006 por la Cátedra Parasitología General (Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires). Se censaron las heces en varias plazas cada año en un único día entre 1991-2006. A partir del año 2000 se censaron heces en veredas circundantes. En cada plaza se seleccionaron al azar 30 heces frescas que se conservaron en formol 5% para su análisis parasitológico por el método de flotación de Willis con solución saturada de ClNa. Los 51 censos presentaron una mediana de heces de 288; un 82% de las heces se observaron en los canteros de tierra o pasto. La contaminación fecal en las plazas fue mayor en el período 2000-06 que en el anterior (p = 0.0000). La contaminación fecal de las plazas aumentó con la densidad humana en las manzanas lindantes (p = 0.0076). Las veredas mostraron un patrón inverso, ya que la contaminación fecal fue mayor en las áreas menos densamente pobladas (p = 0.0000). Se detectaron parásitos en un número variable de las heces colectadas en todas las plazas. Los géneros más frecuentes fueron Ancylostoma (20.47%), Trichuris (2.59%) y Toxocara (1.70%). Nuestros resultados indican un aumento en la contaminación fecal de las plazas, posiblemente asociado con el aumento del número de perros en la ciudad combinado con las deficiencias en la implementación y el seguimiento de las medidas de control.

The aim of this study was to provide data on canine fecal and helminthic contamination from parks and sidewalks in Buenos Aires City, collected by the Laboratory of General Parasitology, School of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires. A census of dog feces was performed in 1-11 parks per year between 1991 and 2006, a single day each year. In the period 2000-2006, the census included feces on sidewalks surrounding the park. Thirty fresh fecal samples were randomly collected from each park to determine the presence of helminth eggs and fixed with 5% formalin until diagnosis by the Willis' flotation method with a saturated solution of NaCl. The 51 censuses showed a median of 288 feces/park and 82% of the feces were collected from grass or bare-ground areas. Fecal contamination in parks was higher between 2000/06 than in the previous period (p<0.0000), and it increased with increasing human density on sidewalks surrounding the park (p=0.0076). The sidewalks showed a inverse pattern, with larger fecal contamination in the lesser densely populated areas (p=0.0000). All parks showed infected samples. The most frequent helminth genera were Ancylostoma (20.47%), Trichuris (2.59%) and Toxocara (1.70%). Our results indicated that an increase in dog number in addition to deficient public control policies accounted for the increase in dog fouling in public spaces of the city.

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An epidemiological focal study was performed in Loncopué, Neuquén, Argentina, in November 2002 to detect the origin of the infection in a human case of fascioliasis confirmed by an indirect-ELISA test, six months before the study. Thirty five individual fecal samples were taken from domestic livestock, and watercress plants and snails were collected from the irrigation ditches connected to a main canal in the surroundings of the patient's house. A new blood sample was taken from the already recovered patient. The patient was still seropositive to Fasciola hepatica antigens. No metacercariae were found in the 222 watercress leaves checked. All the snails collected (n=130) were identified as Lymnaea viatrix and two out of 101 (2%) were infected with F. hepatica larvae. Coprological analysis showed F. hepatica eggs in 100% of goats (10/10), 82% of sheep (9/11) and 86% of bovines (6/7). The number of eggs per gram shed by positive goats (median=20.7, Q1=6.2, Q3=34.5) and sheep (4, 1.8, 13) was significantly higher than in cows (0.3, 0.3, 1.7) (p < 0.01). Local veterinary control programs were apparently not effective in this case. Anthelmintics used and treatment schedule should be revised and small herds raised at households should also be included and treated.

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An epidemiological focal study was performed in Loncopué, Neuquén, Argentina, in November 2002 to detect the origin of the infection in a human case of fascioliasis confirmed by an indirect-ELISA test, six months before the study. Thirty five individual fecal samples were taken from domestic livestock, and watercress plants and snails were collected from the irrigation ditches connected to a main canal in the surroundings of the patients house. A new blood sample was taken from the already recovered patient. The patient was still seropositive to Fasciola hepatica antigens. No metacercariae were found in the 222 watercress leaves checked. All the snails collected (n=130) were identified as Lymnaea viatrix and two out of 101 (2

) were infected with F. hepatica larvae. Coprological analysis showed F. hepatica eggs in 100

of goats (10/10), 82

of sheep (9/11) and 86

of bovines (6/7). The number of eggs per gram shed by positive goats (median=20.7, Q1=6.2, Q3=34.5) and sheep (4, 1.8, 13) was significantly higher than in cows (0.3, 0.3, 1.7) (p < 0.01). Local veterinary control programs were apparently not effective in this case. Anthelmintics used and treatment schedule should be revised and small herds raised at households should also be included and treated.

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La liebre europea (Lepus europaeus) ha sido encontrada naturalmente infectada por Fasciola hepatica en varios países, pero en la Argentina no se han realizado estudios al respecto. Este trabajo tuvo por objetivo la búsqueda de infección en liebres de la zona cordillerana de la provincia del Chubut. Durante 1999 se faenaron 162.328 animales provenientes del noroeste de la provincia y se buscaron juveniles y adultos de F. hepatica. En enero y marzo de 2001 se recolectaron boñigas en cuerpos de agua de un establecimiento ganadero de la localidad de Cholila, al noroeste de la provincia del Chubut, donde estudios previos confirmaron la infección en ganado y caracoles. El 0,08 por ciento de las liebres faenadas presentó infección y en el ambiente se encontraron 6/10 boñigas positivas para F. hepatica en un charco (mediana de hpg = 2). A pesar de las bajas prevalencias halladas, el rol de L. europaeus en la transmisión del parásito podría ser importante si se considera que la especie comparte ambientes con el ganado y el caracol, su abundancia es alta, y la densidad de huevos que aporta al medio es mayor que la de bovinos.

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En este basural durante 18 años se arrojaron diferentes tipos de residuos que están en contacto directo con el acuífero semiconfinado (1974-1992). Este estudio evaluó el impacto de este basural sobre los acuíferos locales. Entre noviembre de 1993 y 1994 se monitorearon 8 pozos especialmente construídos, ubicados en cuatro sitios alrededor del relle

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En este basural durante 18 años se arrojaron diferentes tipos de residuos que están en contacto directo con el acuífero semiconfinado (1974-1992). Este estudio evaluó el impacto de este basural sobre los acuíferos locales. Entre noviembre de 1993 y 1994 se monitorearon 8 pozos especialmente construídos, ubicados en cuatro sitios alrededor del relle

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We determined the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in a suburban canine population for the purpose of analyzing the association between different individual and environmental variables and seropositivity for leptospirosis. The study, which was crosssectional, was performed in July 1992 in a neighborhood of Greater Buenos Aires with approximately 9 500 inhabitants and a canine population of around 2 000 animals. We studied a random sample of 223 dogs and obtained a blood sample from each. Each animal's epidemiologic history was obtained by interviewing the housewife. Serologic measurements were performed by the microagglutination technique with the use of 10 different serotypes of Leptospira interrogans. Of the 223 dogs that were tested, 57% showed seropositivity; 82% of the positive sera coagglutinated with two or more serotypes. The most frequently detected serotypes were canicola and pyrogenes. Seroprevalence in females was less common than in males (P <0,05) and in puppies less than 1 year old it was less common than in older animals (P <0,01). Street behavior in the dog and the presence of stagnant water in front of the owner's dwelling were the most important of the risk factors examined. The associations between seropositivity on the one hand and contact with trash deposits, hunting behavior and the presence of rodents inside the dwelling on the other were not statistically significant. Different control measures are discussed.

Se determinó la seroprevalencia de leptospirosis en una población canina suburbana con el objeto de analizar la asociación entre distintas variables individuales y ambientales y la seropositividad a leptospirosis. El estudio, de diseño transversal, se llevó a cabo durante julio de 1992 en un barrio del Gran Buenos Aires en el que viven unos 9 500 habitantes y una población canina de unos 2 000 animales. Se estudió una muestra aleatoria de 223 perros, de cada uno de los cuales se obtuvo una muestra de sangre. La ficha epidemiológica del animal se obtuvo por encuesta al ama de casa. Las determinaciones serológicas se realizaron por microaglutinación frente a 10 serotipos de Leptospira interrogans. Se halló seropositividad en 57% de los 223 perros examinados; 82% de los sueros positivos coaglutinaron con dos o más serotipos. Los serotipos detectados con mayor frecuencia fueron canicola y pyrogenes. La seroprevalencia en hembras fue menor que en machos (P <0,05) y entre los cachorros de menos de 1 año de edad, menor que en los animales de mayor edad (P <0,01). El callejeo del perro y la presencia de agua estancada frente a la vivienda del propietario fueron los factores de riesgo más importantes entre los que se estudiaron. Las asociaciones de la seropositividad con el contacto con un basural, con el comportamiento de caza del perro y con la presencia de roedores en la vivienda no fueron estadísticamente significativas. Se discuten distintas medidas de control

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